Zimbabwe soldiers and police were on the streets of Harare Thursday as authorities came under under increasing pressure to release results of the presidential election. The country’s landmark vote — the first since veteran autocrat Robert Mugabe was ousted last year — turned bloody Wednesday when troops opened fire on demonstrations against alleged electoral fraud, leaving three people dead. Commonwealth election observers criticised Zimbabwe authorities for “excessive” force. “We categorically denounce the excessive use of force against unarmed civilians,” the group said in a statement, urging the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to announce all election results without further delay. The U.S. Embassy in Herare issued a statement Thursday urging American citizens to avoid the city center. “Due to reports of multiple demonstrations and gun shots in the Central Business District, the U.S. Embassy encourages American Citizens to avoid the Central Business District,” the statement read. The government blamed the MDC opposition party for inciting the unrest and vowed to enforce a security crackdown, and President Emmerson Mnangagwa said he wanted an independent investigation into the killings and that he is seeking settle differences “peacefully.” The United Nations and former colonial power Britain also expressed concern over the violence, and called for “restraint.” Soldiers were on guard outside the headquarters of the ruling ZANU-PF party, while armored personnel carriers, water cannon trucks and police anti-riot vans drove through Harare sporadically pausing outside the MDC headquarters. Downtown Harare, where protesters were killed, was quiet in the morning. “I wasn’t sure whether it’s safe… [Read full story]